Our Carp mad team is run by anglers for anglers. We have the top brands and latest products available.
Our entire staff are fishermen and love to talk tackle. This allows us to pick the best tackle for our ranges as well as give impartial and honest advice to each of our customers.
Great service, ordered bivvy on 19th March, delivered 20th (Scotland) ,cheapest price online
Will keep using Gerrys, there’s always someone at end of phone for help and advice.
Edward Perry.
Welcome to the definitive destination for all your carp fishing tackle needs! At Gerry’s Fishing, we pride ourselves on stocking the very best and latest carp gear from the world’s leading brands, ensuring you have the high-quality equipment required to land that personal best. Whether you’re a beginner setting up your first carp fishing kit or a seasoned big-fish angler looking for specialist terminal tackle and cutting-edge carp rods, we have everything you need for successful day sessions, weekend trips, and multi-night carp fishing campaigns.
Welcome to the definitive home of Carp Fishing Tackle. At Gerry’s Fishing, we don’t just stock the gear; we live the lifestyle. From the historic gravel pits of the North West to the sprawling inland seas of the continent, our team has been at the forefront of the carp scene for over 45 years.
In 2026, carp fishing technology has reached a pinnacle of innovation. We are seeing aerospace-grade carbons in rods, intelligent sensing in bite alarms, and bait formulations backed by advanced aquatic science. This guide covers the heritage of Gerry’s Fishing, the cutting-edge gear we have in stock, and the essential information you need to “make it happen” on your next session.
The story of Gerry’s Fishing began in 1980. Our founder, Gerry, moved from London to Morecambe and turned his lifelong passion for angling into a small, 300-square-foot shop. Alongside his wife Barbara, Gerry built the business on a simple foundation: expert advice and honest service.
Over the decades, Gerry’s outgrew three different locations. In 2013, Gerry’s son, Chris, took the helm, injecting fresh energy and modernizing the business for the digital age. Today, Gerry’s Fishing is the UK’s largest independent tackle store.
Our current superstore in Morecambe is an astonishing 10,000 square foot showroom, supported by a 20,000 square foot warehouse system. When we say we have “massive stock,” we mean it. We house over 100,000 individual products, catering to every discipline, but our heart has always been firmly rooted in the carp scene.
The Largest Independent Stockist: Being independent means we choose the gear we sell. We only stock brands that meet our rigorous standards for quality and performance.
Anglers Serving Anglers: Every member of our staff is an active angler. When you call us for advice on a Trakker Tempest or a Shimano Ultegra, you are talking to someone who has used that gear on the bank.
Fast & Insured Delivery: From our Morecambe hub, we ship worldwide. Whether it’s a pack of hooks or a full Power Porter, your gear is packed with care and fully insured.
The 2026 season has introduced game-changing equipment. Here are the categories where we are seeing the most advancement.
The trend for 2026 is “Versatility.” Anglers are moving away from having five different sets of rods for different venues. Modern carbons allow for a “through-action” rod that can still hit 100+ yards.
Distance Tools: Look for 13ft models with 50mm butt rings and graphene-infused blanks.
Stalking/Urban: Retractable rods (pioneered by Nash Scope) now offer the same performance as traditional 2-piece rods.
In 2026, Monocoque (MQ) bodies have become the standard for high-end reels like the Daiwa Basia and Shimano Ultegra, reducing weight while increasing cranking power. “Slow Cross Wrap” technology is now essential for those looking to squeeze an extra 5% out of their cast.
Pressure on UK waters is at an all-time high. 2026 has seen a massive shift toward Tungsten-infused plastics and “washed-out” camo finishes. The goal is simple: make the rig disappear against the lakebed.
To help you build your 2026 setup, we’ve highlighted the flagship products currently in stock at Gerry’s Fishing.
The Infinity range has always been the “professional’s choice,” and the latest X45 iteration is the best yet.
| Specification | Detail |
| Material | HVF (High Volume Fiber) with X45 Technology |
| Test Curve Options | 3.0lb, 3.25lb, 3.75lb |
| Guides | SeaGuide TDG (Ultra-lightweight) |
| Reel Seat | Fuji DPS |
| Butt Ring | 50mm (Standard on 12ft/13ft models) |
| Special Features | V-Joint Alpha (Seamless power transfer) |
Primary Uses:
The Daiwa Infinity X45 is the ultimate all-rounder for the serious session angler. The 3.25lb model is perfect for 90% of UK venues, offering enough “backbone” to cast large PVA bags while maintaining a forgiving tip to prevent hook-pulls in the margins. It is the rod for the angler who demands the highest level of Japanese engineering.
The Ultegra CI4+ remains the gold standard for long-distance casting and reliability.
| Specification | Detail |
| Body Material | CI4+ (Ultra-lightweight Carbon) |
| Weight | 540g |
| Bearings | 5 S A-RB + 1 RB |
| Line Retrieve | 103cm per handle turn |
| Max Drag | 15kg |
| Special Features | Super Slow 5 Oscillation, Hi-Speed Drag |
Primary Uses:
The Shimano Ultegra CI4+ is designed for the big-pit specialist. Its Super Slow Oscillation ensures impeccable line lay, which is the secret to hitting extreme distances. At Gerry’s Fishing, we often pair these with 12lb – 15lb fluorocarbon for the ultimate stealthy, long-range setup.
The newest evolution in the Tempest family, the RS (Rapid Shelter) is built for speed and ventilation.
| Specification | Detail |
| Material | Aquatexx™ (25,000mm Hydrostatic Head) |
| Weight | 9.4kg (Bivvy only) |
| Setup Time | Under 60 Seconds |
| Dimensions | 145cm (H) x 250cm (W) x 235cm (D) |
| Ventilation | 360-degree Adaptive Ventilation® |
Primary Uses:
The Trakker Tempest RS is the premier choice for the mobile “overnight” angler. If you fish quick sessions between work shifts, the RS allows you to be fishing and protected in under a minute. The new 25,000mm fabric is effectively waterproof to a level that far exceeds any weather the UK can throw at it.
One of the biggest frustrations for carp anglers is “inventory lag.” At Gerry’s, we use a real-time inventory system across our 20,000 sq ft warehouse.
Bait Freshness: We rotate our Nash, Mainline, and Sticky Baits stock weekly. When you buy boilies from Gerry’s, you are getting the freshest possible product, ensuring maximum leakage and attraction.
Bulk Buys: Because of our massive storage capacity, we offer “Bulk Buy” deals on heavy items like lead weights, spods, and particles that smaller shops simply can’t accommodate.
Spare Sections: We carry a wide range of spare rod sections and bivvy poles for all the major brands we stock.
What is the best test curve for UK carp fishing?
For most UK day-ticket and syndicate waters, a 3.0lb or 3.25lb test curve is ideal. A 3.0lb rod offers a fantastic playing action, while a 3.25lb rod provides the extra “steel” needed to cast PVA bags or hit distances over 80 yards.
What is the benefit of a “Big Pit” reel?
Big Pit reels feature a large, shallow spool that allows line to come off in larger loops, reducing friction against the rod guides. This leads to much greater casting distances compared to standard baitrunner-style reels.
Should I use Mono, Fluorocarbon, or Braid?
Monofilament: Best all-rounder; it has stretch which helps play fish.
Fluorocarbon: Sinks like a brick and is nearly invisible; perfect for clear water and “slack line” fishing.
Braid: Zero stretch; essential for spodding, marking, or extreme distance fishing where you need instant bite indication.
Is a 1-man bivvy big enough for a week in France?
It depends on the model. A “150” sized bivvy (like the Aqua Pioneer 150) is often enough for a solo angler on a long trip. However, for a week-long session, most anglers prefer a 2-man bivvy to allow room for a table, guest chair, and additional food/bait storage.
What is a “Sleep System”?
A Sleep System is a bedchair with a sleeping bag built-in. This eliminates the “bag twist” and makes for a much more streamlined setup. Brands like Nash (Indulgence) and Trakker (Levelite) are the market leaders in this category.
What is a “Ronnie Rig”?
The Ronnie Rig (or 360-rig) is a low-profile pop-up rig that allows the hook to rotate 360 degrees. It is incredibly effective for wary fish because the hook is always in the prime position to “prick” the fish’s bottom lip.
Why use a “Washed-Out” bait?
In pressured waters, carp often associate bright, fresh-colored boilies with danger. “Washed-out” baits mimic boilies that have been in the water for several days, appearing safer to the fish.
Do I need a spod rod?
If you plan on baiting up with large quantities of boilies, pellets, or particles at distance, a Spod or Spomb rod is essential. These rods have very high test curves (usually 4.5lb+) to handle the weight of a fully loaded bait rocket.
Carp fishing is a game of percentages. Every piece of gear, from the size of your hook to the stability of your bivvy, contributes to that final moment when the net slides under a new personal best. At Gerry’s Fishing, we provide the high-performance gear and the 45 years of expertise required to tip those percentages in your favor.
Ready to gear up? Browse our full Carp Fishing range online or visit our Morecambe superstore
For the majority of UK commercial fisheries and medium-sized lakes, a 12ft rod with a 2.75lb to 3.0lb test curve is the ideal all-rounder. This specification offers enough backbone to control double-figure carp while retaining a forgiving playing action to prevent hook pulls under the rod tip.
However, if you are targeting larger venues or looking to cast heavy PVA bags over 100 yards, we recommend stepping up to a 3.5lb test curve rod, ideally featuring a 50mm butt ring to reduce line friction during the cast.
This depends on your casting distance. Freespool reels (often called Baitrunners) are perfect for general stalking and fishing up to 80-90 yards; their engagement mechanism makes them incredibly user-friendly.
Big Pit reels are superior for long-range carp fishing. They feature larger, wider spools that allow line to peel off faster with less memory coil, essential for hitting distances over 100 yards. Most modern Big Pit reels now feature ‘Quick Drag’ systems (QD) which replace the need for a traditional freespool switch.
Monofilament remains the number one choice for 90% of carp anglers. It is abrasion-resistant, sinks well, and offers a bit of stretch to cushion the fight. We typically recommend a
